Archive for Mike Vecchione

Per Larry Brooks, the Rangers have their sights set on Hobey Baker finalist Mike Vecchione of Union College. Josh wrote briefly on Vecchione, stating that he is one of the more dynamic centers in the NCAA. He put up 29-34-63 in 38 games this year with Union. In 149 NCAA games, he has a line of 71-105-176.

The drawback here is that Vecchione is already 24 years old, and much like prior undrafted NCAA free agents, he has more leverage than Vinni Letteri and Vince Pedrie. The Rangers would likely need to sign him this year –ineligible for the playoffs– which would burn a year of his ELC. It’s certainly a risk.

But with risk comes reward. It is likely the Rangers lost one of Jesper Fast or Oscar Lindberg to Vegas in expansion. If Vecchione can make the jump right away, which is no guarantee, then he might be able to fill that fourth line role.